In the last ever 250cc race in motorcycling GP history saw Hiroshi Aoyama crowned the 2009 World Champion.
In an action packed, full of ‘mistakes’race it was Hector Barbera who actually won the race at Valencia.

Aoyama made the first mistake on lap 10 battling with the lead group and he tried an inside pass over braked and when for a long ride in the gravel trying to keep control and not fall over, he would then return to the race in 11th, a position that would let him take the title, even if closest rival Marco Simoncelli should win the race.

Simoncelli, was leading when Aoyama went off track, but the Japanese rider could breathe a sigh of relief when Simoncelli crashed out on lap 21. The Italian managed to save himself when his Gilera hit the white line, but just 30 meters later his front would fold and Simoncelli would slide into the kitty litter, handing Aoyama automatically the world title.

Continue reading: 250cc Valencia - Barbera wins and Aoyama is World Champion

Hiroshi Aoyama who turned 28 today, gave himself a fantastic birthday gift by winning today’s 250cc race at Sepang, putting one hand firmly on the World title with a 21 point lead.

Aoyama took off from first on the grid, but it was Jules Cluzel who go the holeshot and Marco Simoncelli who barreled out of his eighth place to take third while Aoyama dropped back to fourth after a mistake at the Langkwai. Simoncelli took the lead on lap three.

Cluzel would crash on lap 10 while the battle between Aoyama and Simoncelli continued with Hector Barbera sneaking up on the pair.

Aoyama took the lead on lap 15 and began to pull away. Within another two laps the Japanese rider already had a three-second lead while Barberá began his battle with Simoncelli.

Aoyama crossed the finish line with a 6.397s advantage while second place would be decided a photo finish between Simoncelli and Barbera, The Race Direction declared that it was a dead heat, but Barbera was awarded 2nd because of a faster race lap.

Simoncelli’s third place gave Aoyama another four points extending his lead to 21 points before the season final at Valencia in two weeks time. Aoyama needs just an 11th place to take the 2009 250cc World Championship.

Continue reading: 250cc GP – Birthday Boy Aoyama Wins, 2nd Place decided by Photo Finish

Three Repsol riders, Dani Pedrosa, Hector Barbera and and off road racer and Dakar winner Marc Coma took advantage of a long break to try their talents in mountain climbing by taking part in the Desafío Extremo - Extreme Challenge offered by Jesús Calleja to climb Mont Blanc (4.810 mt), the highest mountain in The Alps.

Since none of the riders have almost any experience in mountaineering, they are being closely supervised and coached. Last Wednesday, Coma and Barbera and the rest of the team went to the Aigüille du Midi at 3.842 mt. where they spent the day getting acclimatised and on Thursday to Mer de Glace glacier, to learn how to use crampons, ice axes and screws and the twin rope system.

As a cold front coming down from the Artic willing be hitting the area on Tuesday, the team will to try to make the final ascent today.

Source | motograndprix

Continue reading: Dani Pedrosa and Hector Barbera to climb Mont Blanc

When Jorge “Aspar” Martinez finally got his chance to field a team in MotoGP, his first pick was 250cc rider Alvaro Bautista who turned his back on a satellite Ducati Desmosedici ride preferring to sign up with Suzuki for the next two years.

With a need of a Spanish rider to pacify his sponsor, Martinez turned to his second choice Héctor Barberá, who has his own personal sponsorship backing.

Speculation had it that Barberà had already signed at Brno, immediately after Bautista confirmed his deal with Suzuki, but it was only today that Martinez confirmed that Barberà has signed a one year contract with his team, with a further option for 2011.

The feisty Spanish rider is currently fourth in the 250cc standings and his name was one of the many linked to a Yamaha Tech 3 ride during silly season.

Continue reading: Hector Barbera signs with the new Aspar Ducati Team

The MotoGP silly season game has become so popular that now we have a new player, Héctor Barberà.

Barberà currently rides for Pepe World Team in the 250cc series and he too wants to make the jump to the premier class in 2010, together with Alvaro Bautista and the much hated Marco Simoncelli.

According to website motociclismo.es the Spanish rider has offers from Honda Gresini and Yamaha Tech 3.

Continue reading: More Silly Season - Barberà gets offers from Gresini and Poncharal

The Pons Racing WRB team managed by Sito Pons has signed rider Hector Barbera to head their new 250cc team in 2009 championship. Barbera will ride an Aprilia RSA and will continue to be sponsored by the Spanish company Globalia through their brand Pepe. The Spanish rider will work with the same team that he had in 2008, including crew chief Rossano Brazzi.

“I’m also very happy to have the opportunity to work together with Sito. He won two 250cc titles and he knows more about this game than anybody. I am convinced his experience can help me grow as a rider. I am just starting my rehabilitation now and I´m sure next year can be an incredible one for everybody involved” stated the rider.

Barbera, who is currently recuperating from two fractured vertebra sustained during free practice in Motegi and despite missing the last four races of the year, ended the 2008 season sixth in the general classification, having earned two poles and four podiums.

Source | Motociclismo.es

Continue reading: Hector Barbera signs with Sito Pons